Sat 31 Dec

Bye, bye 2016! Not a year of good memories on a national scale, except for the final year of the Obama presidency which has been fine. On a personal scale, it's been an okay year with no big upsets. Laura got her beautiful condo and adopted her kitty, Michael and Taylor continue to seem to do well. Bob and I got to go to Scotland which was truly amazing. Overall, it's been good for us. (And for possibly the first time ever, we are eating all the butterhorns and Christmas cookies up while they're still delicious!) Food: 8:10 am 3 butterhorns (the last!), 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c skim milk, med orange

Fri 30 Dec

Last week of 2016 is drawing to a close. Can't say I'm sorry to see this year end, with the horrible election and all the celebrity deaths, but I also can't say I'm anxious for next year to begin with Trump at the helm of the nation. Obama has been a great president, and I will be very sorry to see him and his gracious wife leave the White House. For the last eight years, I haven't been as ashamed to be an American when I traveled (as I had been when George W was president). Now I shall have to become fluent in other languages to try to pass for European when I travel. Oh, well. Food: 7:45 am 3 butterhorns, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, bowl organic minestrone, 1.25 c fruit salad, 3 pfefferneuse cookies Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 29 Dec

Another totally free day, because Kathy is in Chicago with her boys so we aren't walking today. Maybe I'll go to the gym and try the 10:30 yoga class, but I'm not highly motivated. Reading and home exercise may just be enough for the day today. Yoga is a no-go, did the HIIT video all out and am tired. Food: 7:40 am 3 butterhorns, 100 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:35-10:05 am Jessica Smith Low-Impact HIIT video

Wed 28 De

I think I may have another totally free day tomorrow as I'm pretty sure Kathy is going to Chicago to take Eddie back so we won't be walking. I'm not sure I can finish my latest Kindle book before the loan ends, so I'll be able to try out the copy that appears in my library afterward if needed. I'm still planning to read as much as possible before the loan ends. We are doing a great job eating the butter horns up this year. I would be delighted if we can finish them before they get stale. Food: 7:35 am 3 butterhorns, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 27 Dec

Got to finish one Kindle book today and get through another before some time tomorrow. It is possible that the books remain accessible in my Kindle library, but I hate to count on it and find them unreadable. Though I suppose I can always request them again. I have a free day today without even too many things that need to be done. We are eating leftovers these days which is good so that nothing goes to waste. I do want to do a Pilates tape as I'm stiffening up again and need to work out the kinks. Running in the living room doesn't stretch and use the muscles as well. Bob is putting in some additional outlets near the computer so we can plug in all the devices that continue to accumulate. It will be nice not to have extension cords laying around under my computer chair. Food: 8:00 am 3 butterhorns, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 slices Hawaiian bread, 2 tbl peanut butter, 1.25 c fruit salad Exercise: 9:20-9:40 pm Partial Pilates tape

Mon 26 Dec

Trying to get back into the routine today by going to the gym like a good girl this morning. I'm pretty sure today was not one of the holiday closing days on their list. This week may still be blessedly uncrowded, but next week will begin the New Year's resolution crowds that last for several months and make all the equipment hard to get and the classes crowded. I don't expect there are Suzuki lessons this week or for the next couple of weeks, and there is no reading tomorrow since school is on Christmas holiday, so the week will not be too busy. Food: 7:40 am 3 butterhorns, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am 28 g butterkase, 1.25 c fruit salad, chocolate chip scone Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Elliptical 9:30-10:30 am Body pump class

Merry Christmas 2016!

Wow, yesterday was a day! I was pretty completely exhausted by the end of it, and judging from how monosyllabically quiet Bob is today, I gather it did him in as well. Don't get me wrong, it was an excellent day with family and friends, but just very tiring. I don't know that I've ever attempted to prep two major holiday meals in the same day, much less try to eat them. Got up at 6:15 and baked butterhorns, made the New Glarus Swiss cheese pie (complete with homemade pie crust), and I can't remember what else. Squeezed in breakfast during the rising stage of the butterhorns, but never did manage a shower. Michael and Taylor showed up sometime after 9, so I they made the fruit salad for me and Taylor peeled potatoes for pancakes. Fortunately Hartmans were just a bit late, so I had part of a griddle of potato pancakes started when they arrived. Poor Kathy had been excited because she had gotten us a salt lamp for a Christmas gift, so it was a bit of a shock for her to see one on my table when she arrived. At least I hadn't told her I got it for $5 on the St Olaf rummage table! I really don't mind having one in the dining room and one in the living room as they are supposed to be very good for cleaning the air and deionizing it. Food: 7:30 am 3 butterhorns, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 24 Dec

Couldn't really relax into sleep last night, though I did rest quietly so I hope I have enough energy to make it through today. LOVED Rogue One last night! What a gift to true original Star Wars fans! I hadn't realized it would be that good. Cried on and off through much of it, and loved the little homages to the original sprinkled throughout. What an unexpectedly delightful evening. Laura was on her third viewing already, and Michael would also have been but he had to do an estimate and couldn't join us. His Christmas gift from Laura rocks! She made him a REBEL SCUM stocking cap and would have given it to him early to wear to the show tonight if he could have gone with us. He's gonna love it. I have Harriett for company this morning while I get the butterhorns ready. Next I need to make the Swiss cheese pie and prep for the rest of brunch, but I'm taking a brief breakfast break while the butterhorns rise. Food: 7:20 am Copps coffee cake muffin

Fri 23 Dec

Going down to Madison this morning to get Laura and Harriett. She will work here this afternoon on her grading while I do prep for tomorrow's meals. May be snow coming before we get home; we'll see. Mary Hofer came over last night to go over the Christmas church music and our duets. Afraid I was pretty tired by the end. Food: 7:05 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 22 Dec

Woke up this morning at the end of a sleep cycle feeling so delightfully rested. Yesterday was off and I never felt awake all day, so this is a very pleasant contrast. Hopefully I will finish everything needed for holiday prep today and still have time to relax and read. Food: 8:05 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 1.65 oz butterkase cheese, slice buttered cranberry oat toast, large banana 2:30 pm Christmas cookies 5:40 pm 1 large drumstick, 1/2 c mashed sweet potatoes, 2/3 c Birdseye pea pods Exercise: 4/5 10-min Latin Dance workouts throughout afternoon 10 min Abs Express Jessica Smith YouTube

Wed 21 Dec

Made caramel bourbon sauce (for ice cream) yesterday and had enough for four pint jars, one for us, one for Michael/Taylor, one for Laura, and one for Hartmans. I feel so domestic having one homemade gift to offer! Today is pretty much a normal Wednesday. Plenty of leftovers for dinner. Made a chili cornbread casserole last night that was very tasty. Have the menus planned, but need to go to the grocery store tonight. Don't need to pick up another present for Michael; it turns out he will get the biggest gift of anyone as we ordered him an iPhone online last night. He has not had a smartphone and said just the other day that he will probably need to get one as it will be useful in his work. Decided he managed to drop the hint in sufficient time for Christmas, so even though we aren't getting anything major like that for Laura or Taylor, he needs it and it will stress his budget if he has to get it himself, so Santa will come through. Food: 7:40 am Honey bear pastry, 98 g blackberries, coffee 10:45 am 1 sugar cookie Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 20 Dec

Today I read with my third graders, then I need to come home and wrap and organize presents. I may need one more thing for Michael, otherwise I think I'm okay. I also need to plan my menus for brunch and dinner so I can make sure I have all the things I need. Temperature outside on the upstairs thermometer is nearly 20° this morning! Today was forecast to be considerably warmer than anything we've recently experienced. Unfortunately it's a one-day wonder, but I'll take it all the same. It will be nice to be more comfortable outside. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Macaroni and cheese Exercise: 8:45-8:55 am Walk to St Steve's 10:10-10:20 am Walk home

Mon 19 Dec

Christmas is getting dangerously close. Still need to possibly pick up something else for Michael and Taylor, and a few more items for Laura's stocking. Haven't started wrapping either. Or planning brunch or Christmas dinner. Plenty to do this week. Food: 7:35 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am 3 oz roast pork, lg slice cranberry oat bread, 30 g raspberries Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 18 Dec

Frigid frosty morning. Luckily we went to church yesterday since I cantored, so we don't have to leave the house today unless by choice. Packers play the Bears at noon, which is hopeful for a TV broadcast we can get. Cookie dough is made so we will make the cookies later, and I need to go through the gifts to take stock and possibly start wrapping. A nice day to look forward to. Food: 8:25 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 17 Dec

About 6 inches down and more falling. I shoveled a little, but Bob is using the blower for the most part. We will soon break to go to the Farmers Market for pastries, but then there will be more to do. David will be absent from the market for 3 weeks now, so we need to really enjoy these pastries. He is taking his wife to St Thomas on vacation after Christmas. Food: 8:55 am Pumpkin chocolate danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 4 oz ham, large slice cranberry oat bread 3:00 pm 1/2 c Quaker Oat Squares 6:35 pm Risotto w/crab & broccoli Exercise: 7:50-8:05 am Shoveling snow (6" fluffy) 1:15-1:50 pm Shoveling snow (1-2" fluffy) 4:10-4:30 pm Walk to church 6:10-6:30 pm Walk home

Fri 16 Dec

Another cold morning with a winter snowstorm forecast for the next 1 1/2 days. Actually it should be a bit warmer than the past few days, but lots and lots of snow is likely. Not a good weekend for people to travel. Today is the Gilfry Christmas lunch, so I'm looking forward to that. Got to remember to take $10 in case I do have to pay for my ticket. Suicide Prevention committee meeting this morning, and I'm going to drive so I can still go to Body Pump afterward. May not have time for the treadmill, but at least I'll make it to class once this week since the garage door malfunction prevented me from making it on Wednesday as planned. Food: 7:25 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 15 Dec

Brrr! It will be a chilly walk with Kathy this morning, but we are women! We can handle a little cold weather. Hair cut 'n color this afternoon. Wow, cold! My torso was plenty warm but my thighs were well chilled and when I got home, I had a brief headache while reacclimatizing. Even with standing in front of the fireplace and wrapping in a blanket for awhile, I had to finally get into the hot tub to get my body temp feeling normal again. Food: 7:20 am Costco coffee cake, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Risotto w/crab & broccoli Exercise: 8:00-9:30 am Frigid walk w/Kathy

Wed 14 Dec

Starting to get used to the cold (unfortunately). It will be here for awhile. Think I'll try to dump the chicken drumsticks into the crock pot at lunch, maybe with the tikka masala sauce. Michael is supposed to come after Bootstrap to do his MA recent; hopefully he won't cancel again as tomorrow is his deadline. It's possible the Republicans will take his insurance away at some point, but he may as well keep it active as long as possible. If we successfully renew it, I'm going to encourage him to get an eye appointment, physical, and anything else needed while he can. Food: 7:40 am Honey bear pastry, 104 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices applewood bacon, 1 slice Omega 3 toast w/butter 6:10 pm Large chicken drumstick w/tikka masala sauce, 1/2 c sliced beets, 1/2 c chicken Stove Top stuffing Exercise: 9:10-9:20 am Treadmill Prog 4 (pooped me out and I couldn't continue) 9:59-10:29 am Treadmill Prog 3 (found this much easier)

Tues 13 Dec

Num! David's eclair with espresso filling. Kind of a dessert-y start to the day, but very delicious. A nice uncommitted Tuesday since the St Steve's kids are rehearsing for their Christmas concert. I have a massage scheduled with Mary at 2, and I really should trim the Christmas tree today. I need to finish a book of Agatha Christie short stories so I can return the book and one other to the library, and the goodie bag treats need to go to Newman. I may go to the grocery store to get risotto ingredients for supper tonight, but it's mostly all fun stuff. Oh, a massage is a wonderful thing! Tree is mostly trimmed except for glass icicles. Book finished. Looking for motivation to finish errands. Food: 7:50 am Espresso eclair, 100 g blackberries, coffee, prune kolachy 12:00 pm Peach soy shake, 100 g raspberries, Dresden stollen 6:00 pm Broccoli crab risotto Exercise: 1:45-1:55 pm Walk to Mary's 3:05-3:15 pm Walk home

Mon 12 Dec

Having David's pumpkin mille feuille for breakfast this morning, and it really looks like it has a thousand layers. Looks amazing. Snowy day to walk to the last Pilates class of the year. Glad the bitter cold isn't supposed to set in til tomorrow. Food: 7:30 am Pumpkin mille feuille, 103 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:40-8:55 am Walk to Pilates 9:00-9:50 am Pilates w/Patrick 10:05-10:20 am Walk home 2:55-3:10 pm Walk to Suzuki 4:20-4:35 pm Walk home

Sun 11 Dec

What a lovely, snowy morning! We must have at least four inches of fresh stuff with more still falling, more than they had forecast for our area. It's beautiful! And today we have no obligations other than attending church (and watching the Packer game) so we can stay around and enjoy it with no worries of travel. Oh, what fun to slog through the snow to church in boots! Food: 8:15 am Pumpkin danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am Leftover fettucini w/asiago cream sauce, pancetta, and English peas, Christmas cookies Exercise: 9:35-10:00 am Walk to church in deep snow 11:05-11:30 am Walk home, some deep snow 12:15-12:45 pm Shoveling 5-6" of fluffy snow

Sat 10 Dec

Good time at the Christmas market and Osthoff Resort. Lovely room, very comfortable bed, nice meals. Blueberry old fashioned was a nice treat at dinner. Ate authentic Nuremberg brats for lunch w/a pretzel and Schaum torte. Stopped in Appleton on the way home for Costco, the tea store, and Carmella's for an early dinner. Today it's the Farmer's Market for pastries, then down to Madison for the Alliant Center Christmas market. Lunch with Laura, possibly some errands, then head home by mid-afternoon before the snow starts. Food: 7:10 am Cranberry orange scone, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 8 Dec

Yesterday was an extremely busy day. Today will be a little busy, starting with a frigid walk with Kathy this morning, and including an 11 am makeup Suzuki lesson and laundry before leaving for Elkhart Lake. Then we can just enjoy the resort and have a nice dinner and tomorrow the Christmas market! First time of the season wearing long underwear under the pants as well as a layer beneath the turtleneck and sweater. It's suddenly COLD!!! 7:30 am Caramel pecan roll, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee 10:00 am Nespresso espresso 12:35 pm Turkey soup, Costco coffee cake, lemon ginger tea Exercise: 8:00-9:30 am Walk w/Kathy 10:45-11:00 am Walk to Suzuki 12:00-12:15 pm Walk home

Wed 7 Dec

Pearl Harbor Day. Always makes me think of my mom who wrote letters to a serviceman who was killed aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor before she started writing to my dad. Might have been a different world without me if he had survived and they had married. Food: 7:35 am Honey bear pastry, 95 g blackberries, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee

Tues 6 Dec

Just realized that today is St Nicholas day. No longer need to think about putting out shoes the night before and making sure they are filled with treats for this morning, or even mailing off treats to out-of-town daughter. The kids now have cats to sleep in their shoes. Cold spell coming on. The temperatures are supposed to slowly fall all day and stay there for awhile. Some of Sunday's snow remains so I guess winter is here. Food: 7:35 am Chocolate croissant, 83 g blackberries, coffee 10:15 am Sandbakkel, chocolate stout tea 12:20 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 grapefruit, caramel pecan roll 2:00 pm 2 pc dark chocolates, Leo's peppermint stick 5:45 pm 4 oz roast pork, 3/4 c pumpkin spelt risotto w/carrots Exercise: 8:45-9:00 am Walk to St Steve's 10:00-10:15 am Walk home 11:30-12:15 pm Walk to library and back

Mon 5 Dec

Choir concerts done. They went okay, but I didn't feel as comfortable with the quality of our music this time as previously. I just think the pieces needed a little more individual work. And perhaps if we had done a good group warmup before the concerts, the sopranos would have hit their high notes with greater consistency. Oh well, it's over now til Jan 22. Packers won yesterday! Yay! My favorite moment (that I got to see before the show) was Randall Cobb's snow angel in the end zone after a touchdown. It was adorable. Food: 7:50 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Turkey soup, large caramel roll 5:25 pm 4 oz roast pork, 1/2 c mashed potatoes, 1/2 c cooked baby carrots Exercise: 8:40-8:55 am Walk to Pilates 9:00-9:50 am Pilates class 10:50-11:05 am Walk home

Sun 4 Dec

Wow, but December moves along quickly! It just began and it's already 4 days in. Last choir concert this afternoon at Frame, followed by an after-glow at Kristin's (old Hot Fish Shop). Concerts are okay, but we could have used more concentrated practice on several of the pieces. They just haven't felt polished. Carrie's still talking about Ireland, but I'll still be amazed if we pull it off. Food: 8:35 am Apricot danish, 99 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 3 Dec

Choir concert last night seemed under-prepared, but it was nice to be at the Convent Chapel. We had a huge crowd thanks to the families of the Pacelli students that helped to fill the chapel. What fun to actually sing for a crowd! This morning we will stop for pastries and then head out to Amherst for the Christmas festivities there. Hopefully we'll get Christmas cookies and other fun things. Once again, we have many, many goodies in the house. Second pastry breakfast commences. Food: 7:20 am Costco coffee cake, 99 g blackberries, coffee 10:35 am Pumpkin chocolate danish, Nespresso espresso, gingerbread Krispie treat 1:30 pm White chocolate peanut butter treat Exercise: 2:10-2:50 pm Jessica Smith YouTube

Fri 2 Dec

Choir concert tonight at the Convent Chapel. I am really looking forward to singing there. It will also be interesting to see how Carrie performs in concert setting. I think she will direct pretty clearly so that should be good. Lunch with Bill and Paddy today at Tokyo Steak House. Looking forward to seeing both of them. Always interesting to share stories with others who also love traveling. Food: 7:40 am Maple pecan coffeecake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 1 Dec

Here we are in December already! We need to get the tree decorations down but Bob tells me the attic is covered in roofing debris so I wasn't up to tackling it last night when I was tired and I don't think I want to do it on my own either. I'll wait til Bob can assist and I am sufficiently psyched to deal with it. Frustrating this tendency of my computer to have a dark space at the bottom when I first open the screens in the morning that retreats slowly at its own discretion. I wanted to get the Target credit card payment out of the way while I was thinking about it, and I can't see to the bottom of the screen to proceed. Oh, it has moved a little further down. I'll try again. Success! It had moved just far enough to reach the necessary buttons on the page. Food: 7:20 am Morning bun, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 2 slices Omega 3 toast, 2 tbl peanut butter, sm orange Exercise: 8:00-9:40 am Walk w/Kathy through Schmeeckle